Not Fountain of Youth, but I'll Take It

I've been following this site for a month. Very glad I found it, as it has a lot of information and inspiration i wouldn't have gotten anywhere else. I, like Vince, am 62 and are thrilled to learn that proper TRT can not only delay some of the aging process, but even reverse some.I was cautiously optimistic when starting TRT. Some things were noticeable right away-energy, then libido shot up, then cognitive functioning, and in the past 2 months muscle gains.

Picture on the left was in June this year, three weeks into it. I wasn't taking pictures to chart progress because I didn't think it would ever really be that noticeable. Last month, my wife of 30 years and a tough critic finally acknowledged that she noticed a big change in my body. I took the picture on the right last week.

Not really a lot of weight gain. I was about 182 on the left, and am 188-190 as of last week. I've always worked very hard when I exercise, but am getting some results for the first time since the first President Bush was in office, a great feeling.

As all of us know, TRT is not a silver bullet, but it certainly is a great compliment to hard work. I workout daily-resistance bands every other day for almost an hour, intervals or tabata on my schwinn air dyne the off days, and if I don't do a formal exercise day, I work on my property, usually logging with chainsaw, splitter or stacking firewood. Capacity for this work is also way up.

I get my TRT from Men's Health Boston, Dr. Abraham Morganthaler's clinic. His protocols are different from what most guys here are on. Not HCG unless blood shows a need. My diet is clean as my wife and I have become fanatical since entering our 60s. Only supplements are fish oil and vitamin D3 daily.

Of course, aches and pains still exist, but at a lesser level. Osteoarthritis still - currently trying to stave off another hip replacement- but greater strength helps considerably.

That's great, I'm happy to hear how good TRT is improving your life. My question would be what test "Not HCG unless blood shows a need." as you probably know HCG is used to sustain normal testicular function.
MM, I always enjoy reading your post.

Morganthaler's protocols are different from what I've learned here. HCG is not given unless it is a younger guy wanting to remain fertile. At my age it's certainly not a concern for me. It wasn't even mentioned to me. Two of my sons are also patients there. Both had test levels in the low 200s, if fact they suggested I get checked out myself. One is on HCG alone which has bumped his total t to 600-700 and the other is on TRT. They go over options with the younger guys. They may have asked me, but I don't recall.

There was a thread on this that I can't find. Maybe somebody else remembers where it was. I recall someone responding that Morganthaler and Jay Campbell don't advocate it except in certain cases.

Morganthaler's protocols are different from what I've learned here. HCG is not given unless it is a younger guy wanting to remain fertile. At my age it's certainly not a concern for me. It wasn't even mentioned to me. Two of my sons are also patients there. Both had test levels in the low 200s, if fact they suggested I get checked out myself. One is on HCG alone which has bumped his total t to 600-700 and the other is on TRT. They go over options with the younger guys. They may have asked me, but I don't recall.

There was a thread on this that I can't find. Maybe somebody else remembers where it was. I recall someone responding that Morganthaler and Jay Campbell don't advocate it except in certain cases.

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Here is the thread, or, at least, a thread, sustaining the point you made in regard to Dr. Morganthaler (and Dr. Rand McClain). See post 13 for Nelson's take on upstream hormonal activity.

I love Dr Morganthaler's videos but I have heard from three men who went to see him for TRT and were deeply disappointed due to how conservative he was. He prescribes only TRT with no adjunctive therapies.

I love Dr Morganthaler's videos but I have heard from three men who went to see him for TRT and were deeply disappointed due to how conservative he was. He prescribes only TRT with no adjunctive therapies.

Yes,I heard that here. So far so good for me however. I thought it had something to do with my age, but I guess it doesn't. I'll keep an eye on things and if I need something down the road I will certainly know what to ask for. I don't see him directly, I see one of his physicians assistance who I think is very good. I also think that they take a special interest in an older guy like me as well. I'm hoping that will help me if I need some adjunct therapy down the road.

in your opinion, what's the downside of not being on hCG or any other adjunct therapy?

Yes,I heard that here. So far so good for me however. I thought it had something to do with my age, but I guess it doesn't. I'll keep an eye on things and if I need something down the road I will certainly know what to ask for. I don't see him directly, I see one of his physicians assistance who I think is very good. I also think that they take a special interest in an older guy like me as well. I'm hoping that will help me if I need some adjunct therapy down the road.

in your opinion, what's the downside of not being on hCG or any other adjunct therapy?

HCG produce the most physiologic ("normal") hormonal milieu. It also helps backfill the pathways. This is why men do better on it. An increased sense of well-being, and libido, HCG brings as it binds to the LH receptors in the more peripheral (emotional) centers of the brain, that you can then enjoy all day.

totally agree with what you said about getting on if you do resistance training, I would also add if it is any type of activity, this was the main reason I got started, I have always been very active, especially with the gym, it got to the point that my drive/motivation was next to nothing, so I got on a program, libido boost, mood elevation and better everyday energy were all icing on the cake.

Wow MM your pictures are even more impressive after reading this. You've got a really full look man very nice, congrats.

I think that TRT is not magic, but allows you to work harder than the average older guy. I'm sure I'd feel pretty good doing TRT and some walking, golf, puttering around with calisthenics or something, but why waste this opportunity? The combo of TRT and hard training with bands has enabled me to train very hard pain free. As we age, instead of giving up, we have to adjust and be smarter.

I still have some joint pain,but bands, the air dyne, and karate training all contribute to my routine. I've practiced uechi ryu karate since 1990. I no longer train at a dojo since moving to NH in 2015, but perform the katas 3 times per week to stay limber and maintain what I call a movement practice.Being able to move sets up a mental attitude that is invaluable, as does an active sex life.

The biggest thing is to work hard as consistently as you can, pain free.

I love Dr Morganthaler's videos but I have heard from three men who went to see him for TRT and were deeply disappointed due to how conservative he was. He prescribes only TRT with no adjunctive therapies.

The NE, especially MA, is ground zero for the ultra conservative med community, and the home of JAMA and NEJM. By the standards of the area, Morganthaler is cutting edge in that he actually will prescribe TRT at all. By the standards of what's the state of the art, he's decades behind, so most men who spend any time on the net seeing what others are doing will be disappointed.

The NE, especially MA, is ground zero for the ultra conservative med community, and the home of JAMA and NEJM. By the standards of the area, Morganthaler is cutting edge in that he actually will prescribe TRT at all. By the standards of what's the state of the art, he's decades behind, so most men who spend any time on the net seeing what others are doing will be disappointed.

Totally agree. I spent 4 years going from doctor to doctor (including a Morganthaler associate) until finally travelling outside NE to get proper TRT care.

I've been very happy with the treatment that I received at his clinic. Of course, I think my case wasn't that bad, as I have always had a strong work ethic for exercise and fitness. I think this is well more than half the battle. The fact that I would have been working out hard anyway helps me. TRT it's not magic, but it definitely enhances your work if you are putting in the some. The fact that my insurance pays for this is also a plus. I'll consider are the suggestions down the road if I need them. Thanks guys.